F1: Racist Controversy Overblown, Barcelona Track Boss Says

With the FIA awaiting a report from the Spanish motorsports authorities about what they plan to do to prevent a repeat of the scenes of abuse aimed at Lewis Hamilton during this past weekdn's Formula 1 test at Barcelona, Circuit de Catalunya boss Ramon Padreras has moved to play down the mounting controversy, claiming it has been blown out of proportion.

In an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, he said, "Last Friday, 10 people with a megaphone behaved in a unacceptable way against the British driver. Right away, we kicked two of them out, we cleared the stands right in front of McLaren's garage and we decided to take measures for Saturday, closing up the terrace right above them. The problem was solved then.

"In no way can the behavior of 10 fans represent the 55,000 who enjoyed the three days and knew how to behave. I think that in some cases the behavior of some 10 or 15 people has been taken out of context, and we are in complete disagreement with that information."

On the other hand, Paderas said, he will do everything he can to ensure there is no repeat of the events in the future.

"We are against any racist or xenophobic demonstration, even if it's from a few, and we are not going to allow a repeat of this in the future."

Despite Padreras' comments, the scenes of abuse still remain a big news story in the UK, with the British government now stepping in to increase the pressure. Britain's Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said Tuesday he plans to write to the FIA to ask what action the governing body is going to take.

"I was shocked by those sickening images," said Sutcliffe. "How on Earth were fans dressed like this allowed into the circuit? Racism should not be tolerated and this isn't the first time British sportsmen have been racially abused in Spain.

"This brings into question whether the Grand Prix should be held at this track. I am going to write to the FIA to ask what action they are going to take in response to this. I am also going to write to the Spanish sports minister to express our ongoing concern about racism suffered by our sportsmen."